Gift Ideas for Creative 14 to 19 Year Olds:

These laser-cut wood kits look so cool! They’re like half puzzle and half sculpture. They come in many different styles, including marble roller coasters (like the one above), trains, animal models, rubber band guns, and music boxes, so I’m sure you’ll find something to make your young friend happy. Some of them work with a hand crank, some have motors, and some even have solar panels that power them! I think they look very steampunk, and sophisticated enough for any age. I kinda want one of my own!

This kit lets you decorate your own mug with the included pen. Set the design in the oven for 20 minutes, and the artwork becomes permanent. The mug comes in black and clear colors, and I’m thinking of getting one for myself!

I was about 12 when I first learned how to use a sewing machine. I started with my mother’s vintage machine, and when I ran that into the ground, my parents bought me a sewing machine like this one. These days I’m still all about the fashion design, and I love thinking back to the early days when I was a kid using my mom’s vintage machine on the kitchen table.

One reason I’m recommending this particular machine is because it comes with an instructional DVD. So if your creative kiddo likes to learn by observing, the DVD should make it easy to pick up on the basics of threading and using the machine. If they need some ideas for their first few projects, I have quite a few sewing tutorials posted (including some very beginner-friendly ones like DIY fabric flowers and my bath mat made out of T-shirts).

I also have foam clay in my studio. You can use it to mold just about anything, and it air-dries to a lightweight and durable foam. Shape it with your hands, use a mold, or even sand your finished project to fine-tune the details. Use it to make Halloween accents, sculptures, cosplay accessories, handle and tool grips, or just about anything else you can dream up! It is soft, like silly putty, so be aware that it will slump and slouch if you try to make a sculpture with no support. It comes in a few basic colors, but the finished project can be painted any color you’d like.

Check out my full tutorial where I demonstrate how to make an octopus bottle, and give some helpful tips for working with foam clay.

The jewelry-making products that I recommend for younger children all use stretchy beading cord, but older kids are ready for a serious jewelry-making kit! This one has everything teens need to get started making professional-quality earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. They can accessorize their own outfits, make items as gifts, or even sell jewelry at craft fairs. The 4-layer organizing box comes with a large array of hardware, tools, clasps, beads, and charms. (Over 2,000 pieces in total!)

I use my Dremel rotary tool for all kinds of things: shaping, etching, carving, polishing, sanding, cutting, and more. This set includes a bunch of different attachments which will be infinitely useful for any older teen who can use tools (and safety glasses!) responsibly. I use mine often when I’m working with wood, metal, or other raw materials.

This resin jewelry kit comes with so many different shapes and sizes of silicone molds, resin, tools, and accessories. I have used this kit, and I love it! In fact, I have a whole tutorial about casting resin jewelry.

Your creative teen can really go hog wild with this kit, and I think it would be a great activity for a sleepover party (with adult supervision, of course).

Instamorph is another product that I currently have in my studio. It’s moldable plastic that comes in pellet form and melts at a low temperature. You put the pellets in warm water, and when they have softened, you can mold and shape the plastic into custom parts. The possibilities are endless, and you can re-melt and re-shape the same material if you want to! Try using it to make customized cosplay accessories, board game pieces, unique beads and pendants, stencils, stands and brackets, buttons, models/miniatures, keychain fobs, zipper pulls, or a thousand other things!

The last thing on the gift guide for creative teens are these diamond painting kits. The technique is similar to a paint by number, but instead of paint you’re using colored rhinestones to create a stunning, sparkly picture. I particularly like the beach scene and the lovely dandelions, but diamond painting kits come in so many styles, you’re sure to find something that’s a perfect fit for your creative kid’s gift. You can even make your own customized diamond painting kit by uploading one of your own photos, and making a kit that’s one of a kind!

Gift Ideas for Creative 10 to 14 Year Olds:

This awesome kit lets you draw your own comic book, send it off in the mail, and receive a professionally printed comic book featuring your own story and artwork! I actually bought one of these kits, but I’m not through drawing it yet. It’s such a great idea, and I couldn’t resist getting one for myself! I also spotted this kids’ guide to creating your own graphic novel, which would make a nice additional gift to provide some pointers and kick-start a few ideas.

I’m kind of laughing as I realize that I still use so many of the items on this list. I adore temporary tattoos, but here are a couple of fun ways to design your own! The glitter tattoo kit comes with stencils, or you can freehand a design. I’ve used my kit over and over to make fun glittery tattoos that last a surprisingly long time.

The other temporary tattoo option is one I haven’t tried yet, but it’s on my wish list. It’s temporary tattoo paper that goes in your printer! If you can print it, you can turn it into a tattoo. Try making tattoos featuring your own digital artwork, searching for free clipart on the internet, or using your favorite photos. It works with inkjet or laser printers. I think it would be an amazing activity for a slumber party, just for fun, or even making custom accents for Halloween or a cosplay event.

I had a microscope when I was a kid, and I still remember the amazing feeling of looking at hair, fingernails, butterfly wings, etc. Pretty much everything is fascinating when it’s viewed up close. This microscope plugs into a USB port, so you can see your findings on a computer or laptop screen.

This assortment of beads is sure to kick-start anyone’s creativity. Kids can mix and match colors, create necklaces or bracelets for their friends, and practice honing their eye for design. You may also want to pick up a roll of my favorite stretchy beading cord to go with them!

One of my very favorite gifts that I got when I was about 12 was a keyboard like this. It displays notes on the screen, and the keys light up to help you become familiar with the notes. I played with mine for YEARS! The built-in teaching modes gave me a kid-friendly musical foundation that I’ve carried with me (and built on) ever since. Fast forward to now, and I still adore music. I occasionally play keyboard and guitar for church.

Guys, I have a Kumi Kreator of my own. Yes, I’m positive that I’m an adult. It’s a braiding machine that makes friendship bracelets and necklaces, and I think it’s mesmerizing.

You can make different designs, depending on which slots you load with cord and what colors you use. It comes with 60 spools of cord and some easy-to-use clasps. If you need more cord, you can get refill kits.

I just had to include a fashion design sketchbook on the list! This one makes the basics of designing easy for beginners. It comes with stencils, a color wheel, and some hints for drawing proportionately.

Gift Guide for Creative 3 to 6 Year Olds:

I have incredibly vivid memories of using paint-with-water books when I was a kid. I loved them! They were like magic to me, and I’m sure my mother loved the fact that they don’t make a mess, because you only use water on your paintbrush. The books helped me practice holding a brush, and staying inside the lines. I’m really glad to see that they are still available!

These play mats are another mess-free paint-with-water item, but they are reusable. When the water evaporates, the mat changes back to plain white and it can be drawn on all over again!

I confess that I still sometimes play with a set of magnetic gears. They are also great for kids though, lol. These gears go on the refrigerator, and interlock in many different configurations. They are fun to rearrange and rotate, and in the process they help kids practice coordination and motor skills.

Kids always wish they could color on the walls, right? Now they can… on the walls of their own little house, that is! These fun cardboard playhouses come in several different styles. They are ready to decorate with crayons, stickers, or even streamers and other craft supplies. There’s plenty of room inside for a toddler or two to play and color.

The last item I’m recommending for creative 3 to 6 year olds is a 5-in-1 musical toy. I’ve been drawn to music for as long as I can remember, and I loved musical instruments even when I was tiny. A combo toy like this gives kiddos a chance to try out different musical skills.